About History

About History

In today’s world, people who can research thoroughly, write
effectively, speak eloquently, and think clearly are in great demand. Recent
graduates of our programs are currently pursuing careers in a variety of
professions, including law, business, journalism, academia, finance,
government, the arts, science, education, and medicine. All have benefited as
professionals, individuals, and citizens from their study of history. The study
of history develops skills in research, writing, and critical thinking and
provides a context for understanding the present world. History requires and
develops flexible thinking as it normally employs inductive reasoning.
Historians usually begin with a specific, temporally and spatially defined
issue and try to determine a pattern or cause for change over time. They move
from the particular to the general and since historians usually begin with an
open-ended question, they often find themselves drawing on other disciplines to
understand the problem.

Programs in History

Programs in History

The Department offers three kinds of undergraduate programs: Honours,
Major Concentration and Minor Concentration. Courses in History fall into one
of the following FOUR areas: The Americas; Europe; Asia/Africa/Middle East;
Global/thematic. In each program, a specified number of credits may be selected
from any single area. Each student’s program is worked out with an academic program adviser to
suit the student’s specific needs within the general framework of the program.

Courses within each area are listed in the History Department’s
website. Please refer to our website for a listing of courses being offered in
2010-2011 in each area.

Candidates entering University as U0 or U1 students may, during their
first year, take all courses at the 200 level as well as courses at the 300
level for which they have prerequisites. First-Year Seminars are also available
in History; see First-Year Seminar Courses.

Quebec Studies (QCST)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours History (60 credits)

Students must maintain a 3.30 grade point average in their program courses and must have no less than a "B" in any program course. In addition, and in accordance with Faculty of Arts rules, students must maintain an overall CGPA of 3.00.

Required Course (3 credits)

Complementary Courses (57 credits)

57 credits selected from the areas of History course lists (The Americas, Europe, Asia/Africa/Middle East, and Global/Thematic) with the following stipulations:

A maximum of 15 credits at the 200-level or lower.

A maximum of 42 credits in any one of the areas.

A minimum of 12 credits of Honours seminars (these are listed with their thematic area). Each Honours seminar comprises a 6-credit course with a D1/D2 course number or two 3-credit courses to be taken consecutively. The second term component includes the completion of a major research paper based substantially on primary-source research. Both parts of a D1/D2 seminar must be completed to receive credit. The first course of a two-part seminar may be taken alone in exceptional circumstances, but in that case will be counted towards the complementary course component of the program only and will not be counted as an honours seminar.

Students who wish to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours Program components in any two Arts disciplines. For a list of available Joint Honours programs, see "Overview of Programs Offered" and "Joint Honours Programs."

Joint Honours students should consult an adviser in each department to discuss their course selection and their interdisciplinary research project (if applicable).

Students must maintain a 3.30 grade point average in their program courses and must have no less than a "B" in any program course. In addition, and in accordance with Faculty of Arts rules, students must maintain an overall CGPA of 3.00.

Required Course (3 credits)

Complementary Courses (33 credits)

33 credits selected from the areas of History course lists (The Americas, Europe, Asia/Africa/Middle East, and Global/Thematic) with the following stipulations:

A maximum of 12 credits at the 200-level or lower.

A maximum of 27 credits in any one of the areas.

A minimum of 6 credits of Honours seminars (these are listed with their thematic area). Each Honours seminar comprises a 6-credit course with a D1/D2 course number or two 3-credit courses to be taken consecutively. The second term component includes the completion of a major research paper based substantially on primary-source research. Both parts of a D1/D2 seminar must be completed to receive credit. The first course of a two-part seminar may be taken alone in exceptional circumstances, but in that case will be counted towards the complementary course component of the program only and will not be counted as an honours seminar.